No rest for Celtics with Pistons waiting

BOSTON -- After a grueling, emotional seven-game series -- two back-to-back, in fact -- the Boston Celtics could use a few days of rest before lacing them up for a matchup with the Detroit Pistons. No such luck.

With the Hawks and Cavaliers in their rear-view mirror, the Celtics now face the veteran-rich Pistons, who have been off since knocking out Orlando last Tuesday in five games. The Pistons have used the time to stay sharp and rest several key players, most notably Chauncey Billups, who injured his hamstring against the Magic. Game One is set for Tuesday night in Boston.

"Detroit is not going to feel sorry for us," Celtics forward P.J. Brown said. "We'll have to be ready."

Boston won the season series against Detroit, 2-1. All three games were close, exciting contests, with each team winning on the other's home court. The Celts won the rubber match, in Boston, on March 5. Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince lead a team that just qualified for its sixth straight Eastern Conference finals.

"As you advance, it does get a little more difficult," forward Kevin Garnett said. "Detroit has obviously been resting and waiting, and we've played 14 hard games. We're more emotionally drained than anything, but we're getting prepared for Detroit (today)."

The Celtics seemed to prepare all season for the prospect of facing LeBron James or the Pistons in the playoffs. Now they'll see them both.

"We know who they are, too. They are a terrific team," coach Doc Rivers said. "You know, before the year (began), people thought it'd be us and Detroit in the Eastern finals, and we believed that, too. We just wanted it to start at home in Boston. They are a great team. Flip (Saunders) is a great coach. They've been together longer. They've been through all the wars longer. Having gone through these two has to help us. It will be a good series."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)